VIS37_15.indd 18/25/17 7:04 PMOur Savior Is Born!PFLAUM GOSPEL WEEKLIES Faith Formation ProgramDecember 25, 2017 and January 7, 2018Christmas and EpiphanyTG2-30Marcelino Truong/BayardShare ExperiencesObjectives l The young people will: l Share Christmas joy together in song.l Appreciate the challenges refugees face when forced to flee their homes.l Learn how the Bible calls us to treat strangers and sojourners.Have lively holiday music playing as the young people come to class. Play and sing your choice of the following songs from the Venture/Visions CDs: “Hark! The HeraldAngel Sing” (CD-1, #6), “Night of Silence/Silent Night” (CD-1, #8), “He Came Down/We Are Marching” (CD-1, #7), or “Christmas Star” (CD-1, #9).Opening Prayer This is a joyous time! Gather around your prayer table. Give the young people ample opportunity to share the things they are most happy for during this celebration. After all have shared, pray: For the gift of your Son and everything you have done for us, we thank you, God. All: Amen.Article l They Had No Choice (pages 2–4) Read aloud the photo caption at the top of page 2. Ask the young people to define refugees and explain how this is similar/different from being an immigrant. Immigrants do not leave their country under threat of death or violence; they may also choose to safely return to their home countries to live or to visit family. Take turns reading the story aloud.Turn to the Talk questions on page 4. Note: How a nation deals with refugees can be a divisive political issue. If discussion becomes heated, guide the youngpeople back to the article and the questions. Answers: 1. Encourage the young people to name one person and one item. 2. Note the many quotations from students. 3. Both go on a long journey that is not their choice; however, the Holy Family returns home to Nazareth. Refugees most often never return home. Accept all answers.Bible lookup (page 3) Have the young people get into pairs to look up the Scripture citations and respond to the questions on page 3.Refuge simulation Schools are beginning to host refugee simulation activities in which young people can begin to appreciate the challenges, fears, and choices a refugee maybe forced to make. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees offers detailed plans for hosting this type of experience (search “UNHCR – Passages game").Discover Gospel and DoctrineObjectives l The young people will:l Proclaim the Christmas story.l Proclaim the Epiphany story.l Discover three different ways to pray—vocal prayer,meditation, and contemplation.Christmas Gospel l Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem (page 4) Ask for volunteers to take the roles of Narrator 1, 2, and 3. The rest of the class can be the Angel(s). Proclaim the Christmas Gospel.Turn to the Talk questions, 1–3. Answers: 1. Open- ended. 2. Open-ended. Perhaps share your own favorite part of the story to initiate conversation. 3. We offerhospitality first (welcome and kindness), then any necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter. Ask: Does it matter whether we know the person who needs our help?.Epiphany Gospel l The Wise Men Visit Jesus (page 5) Choose seven new readers to proclaim the Gospel. Discuss the Talk questions. Answers: 1. The star points the way for the Magi. They want to see the newborn king. People of this day believed in omens. The Magi were seeking a great leader.2. Consider sharing with the young people a time you followed a new idea. 3. The wonders of our world, the stars, snow crystals, evergreens in winter. 4. Open-ended.Connecting Gospel and Doctrine l Our Faith Is a Journey (page 5) Read aloud this brief summary of the main theme of this Sunday’sGospel. Recall the story of Mary’s faith from last week. Ask: What examples of faith do we see in this lesson, especially in the Christmas story?Have the young people answer the Talk questions related to the doctrine. You may wish to divide the class into pairs or small groups to add variety to the usual routine.Teaching This Week’s Lesson